Chapter one

* A n a s t a s i a ' s p . o . v . *

I stared silently at myself in the mirror, straightening my old, grimy outfit I was required to wear for work. Although it was late October and the café was kept cold, I had to wear an unbearably thin shirt with short sleeves. I had complained to mom about it once, but she ordered me to suck it up.

I finally finished my morning routine by placing my boring work hat on my head and pulling my dark brown hair through the hole in the back. I checked the clock on my wall and cursed under my breath. It was 6:15 AM. I was expected to be downstairs in the café (we lived on the second floor) by 6:00 to help prep for opening hour, which was at 7:00. Before I ran out of my room, the picture of my dad that hung on the mirror caught my eye. Memories started to flood into my mind, but I pushed them away.

"I don't have time to miss him."

I heaved a sigh, my hand lingering over the doorknob that stood between me and my angry mother, and I gathered up what little strength was in me and headed down the old, rickety staircase.

The transition from our home on the second level to the floor below would surprise anyone who wasnt used to it. The elegant, expensive, modern style of our apartment extremely contradicted that of the café. Our floor upstairs was well-furnished, adorned with the latest and greatest accesories. The café, however, had worn, outdated floors, walls, tables, and chairs. The kitchen was in better shape but still needed some work. Our simple café made it seemed as if we were poor people desperately in need of money. I hated it like that. Unfortunately, in order for me to live there, I was forced to work and lie to our customers about our social class as an excuse for us to have such high prices on our products.



Anyway, I sped down the stairs, bracing myself for the consequences of my tardiness. Mom was at the stove preparing breakfast. I crept into the kitchen, hoping she was in a good mood, hoping maybe she wouldn't have noticed I had just entered, but as soon as I walked in she turned to face me.

Her face displayed the usual unordinary calmness that accompanied her anger. "Anastasia Ruby!" She scolded, "Is there a reason you decided to show up fifteen minutes late?"

I opened my mouth to speak, knowing I wouldnt get a whole sentence out before being interrupted.

"Do you really think I gave you a day off today? On a monday? No, you're just a lazy, worthless disgrace, just like your father was."

Her words made me flinch. My father was a good man, he just married more than he bargained for. We had been extremely close. Unfortunately, he had shot himself four years before, when I was ten years old, and with him died my hope and happiness.

"Are you even listening to me?" She screamed, probably noticing I had zoned out. And with that, she slapped me across the face, mumbled a few more words to herself, and continued cooking.

I sighed, trying not to let her see that her words got to me. This was normal. She always said those things, which meant they were true, right?

I went back to the dining room to set things up for the day. After I had been cleaning for a few minutes, a loud knock came from the front door.

"Who is that? It's only 6:30!" Mom shouted from the kitchen.

I crept up to the door and glanced through the peephole. I cringed, taking about three steps back, repulsed.

"It's Derek," I finally answered, heart heavy.

I heard her slam something down. She didn't like the creep any more than I did. Finally, her voice called back, "Let him in!"

"Go to hell," I mumbled back. I wasn't eager to listen, but I knew I had to. Mom hated Derek as much as I did, but she would always protect him before she would protect me. I hesitantly let the freak in.

As soon as he entered, he looked at me in such a way that it gave me chills down my spine. He pulled me into a hug, against my will, and whispered, "How's my sweet Annie today?"



I jerked away from him. "Don't you EVER touch me again. Mom is in the kitchen." He just sneered and went to find her.

I soon discovered he was there to "help around the café", and of course mom didn't refuse help, so we were stuck with him all day.

A feeling of relief came over me when we finally opened and customers started walking in.